Sunday, June 21, 2015

I know I spend an insane amount of time making maxi dresses, but I can't seem to help myself. This one is very simple - you're essentially sewing the sides of 3 scarves (or 3 fabric squares together) and adding straps. See below for steps!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

We're seeing warmer weather in the Bay Area and it's time to start sewing some maxi dresses again. Comfortable and cool, this is my uniform for the summer and I especially love knit versions for both ease in sewing and in wearing.

Monday, June 1, 2015

I LOVE that I'm seeing more slouchy, comfortable clothes popping up in stores. They work perfectly for weekends with the kids, and now that I've gone from conservative corporate to a more casual workplace, slouchy works there too :)

This one is a very easy and quick DIY. The best part? You get a short-sleeved look without actually having to attach sleeves into an armscye (not my favorite task).

Difficulty: Very Easy

Time: ~1/2 hour

Pattern: Make your own from an existing teeMaterials:

Existing blouse to pattern your top - drop shoulder is easiest

BUT you can also use a regular tee and just extend your cut from the shoulder to the arm as one continuous line instead of cutting out separate sleeves. From neckline to end of sleeve should be about 7-8". Make sure you keep the torso pretty close to the end of the sleeve (see pic below under step 1) if you want the slouchy feel.

~3/4 yard fabric - sweater knit or any other stretchy knit

Steps:
1.) Fold your shirt in half and align that fold with the fold in your fabric. Use your shirt as a template to cut out the front piece and back piece (more details below).

Align shirt fold to fabric fold

2.) The back piece can be cut exactly as laid out above.

3.) For the front piece, simply push the back collar inwards so you can get clear access to cut the neckline of the front (shown directly below). Cut the front piece as you did the back after you've made the neckline adjustment.

Tuck the back neckline inwards

4.) You should now have 2 pieces as shown below.

Back piece on Left and Front on Right

5.) With the front and back cut out, place the right sides together and pin at the shoulders. Sew each shoulder and each side.